All fish / Pomacanthidae

Japanese Pygmy Angelfish

Centropyge interrupta

Also known as japanese angelfish, japanese pygmy angelfish, japanese angel, interrupta angelfish, japanese dwarf angelfish, blue-spotted angelfish, シマヤッコ, 断线刺尻鱼, 日本仙

This is one of the larger dwarf angelfish. It has an orange to yellow body that turns purplish blue towards the rear and is dotted with small bright blue spots. Hobbyists value it because it is rare and costly, and because it comes from cooler subtropical waters in Japan, which sets it apart from most Centropyge species.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a male and female pair in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: algae, spirulina and nori-based foods, mysis, chopped seafood and quality angelfish preparations

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Northwest Pacific: southern Japan, Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, Izu Islands, Taiwan and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Midway)

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs or harems at dusk and scatters pelagic eggs. Spawning sometimes happens in large aquaria, but the tiny larvae are very hard to rear, so nearly all fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Prefers cooler water than typical reef fish and may nip at large-polyp stony corals and clam mantles. It can be territorial towards other dwarf angelfish, and because it is expensive and rare, check it is healthy before you buy.